Competent Person Excavation, Trenching and Shoring Training Online

Become the safety expert your excavation crew depends on with our Competent Person – Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Training, a comprehensive course designed to meet OSHA’s requirements under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P. This in-depth program teaches workers, supervisors, and field leaders how to recognize excavation hazards, classify soil, select proper protective systems, and conduct the daily inspections required on every trenching operation. If your role involves overseeing trenches, working around excavation sites, or ensuring compliance on construction projects, this course provides the essential knowledge and authority needed to serve as your jobsite’s designated Competent Person.

Through step-by-step instruction, real-world scenarios, and visual learning tools, participants learn how to prevent cave-ins, identify unsafe conditions, evaluate trench stability, assess water intrusion, and address atmospheric hazards such as oxygen deficiency and toxic gases. The course also explains OSHA’s requirements for access and egress, spoil pile placement, underground utility locating, and emergency procedures. By the end of the training, you will understand how to confidently apply stop-work authority, document conditions, and implement corrective actions to keep your team safe and compliant.

Ideal for construction supervisors, foremen, safety professionals, and excavation crews, this Competent Person training provides a strong foundation for reducing jobsite risks and preventing costly violations. Whether you’re expanding your safety responsibilities or formalizing your qualifications, this OSHA-aligned course equips you with the skills and knowledge to protect workers, maintain regulatory compliance, and ensure every trenching operation is performed safely and efficiently.

Module 1 — Introduction to Excavation Safety

1.1 Course Purpose and Objectives

• Define the role of a Competent Person under OSHA Subpart P

• Understand regulatory requirements and employer responsibilities

1.2 Definitions & Key Concepts

• Excavation, trench, shoring, shielding, sloping

• Cave-in

• Protective system

• Access/egress

• Hazard exposure

1.3 Legal Framework

• OSHA 29 CFR 1926.650–652

• OSHA General Duty Clause relevance

• State-plan variations

Module 2 — Competent Person Authority & Responsibilities

2.1 OSHA Definition of a Competent Person

• Ability to identify existing and predictable hazards

• Authority to take prompt corrective measures

2.2 Duties in the Field

• Daily inspections

• Continuous hazard monitoring

• Documentation

• Stop-work authority

2.3 When a Site Requires More Than One Competent Person

• Multi-employer worksites

• Large-scale trenching operations

Module 3 — Soil Classification & Analysis

3.1 OSHA Soil Types (A, B, C)

• Characteristics

• Impact on trench stability

3.2 Visual & Manual Soil Tests

• Plasticity

• Fissures

• Water content

• Layering

3.3 Manual Field Testing Methods

• Pocket penetrometer

• Shear vane tester

• Thumb test

• Dry strength test

3.4 Documenting Soil Classification

• Required documentation

• Site-specific records

• Variability across the site

Module 4 — Excavation Hazards & Risk Assessment

4.1 Common Excavation Hazards

• Cave-ins

• Water accumulation

• Adjacent structure instability

• Vibrations (equipment, traffic)

• Hazardous atmospheres (oxygen deficiency, toxic gases)

• Underground utilities

4.2 Jobsite Hazard Assessment Process

• Pre-excavation surveys

• Daily inspections

• Environmental conditions

• Equipment hazards

4.3 Case Studies: Fatal and Near-Miss Incidents

• OSHA fatality summaries

• Lessons learned

Module 5 — Protective Systems

5.1 Overview of Protective System Requirements

• Required when trench is 5 ft or deeper

• Required at <5 ft if a cave-in hazard exists

5.2 Sloping & Benching Systems

• Type A, B, C soil angle requirements

• Configurations and limitations

5.3 Shoring Systems

• Hydraulic shores

• Timber shoring

• Aluminum hydraulic shoring

• Installation and removal procedures

5.4 Shielding Systems (Trench Boxes)

• Use, placement, and depth limitations

• Manufacturer’s tabulated data

• Transition areas (in/out of the box)

5.5 Designing Protective Systems

• Using tabulated data

• Using pre-engineered systems

• Custom designs by a registered professional engineer

Module 6 — Access, Egress & Traffic Control

6.1 Ladders and Ramps

• Ladder spacing every 25 ft of lateral travel

• Ladder extension above trench edge

6.2 Walkways & Crossovers

• Guardrail requirements

• Structural integrity

6.3 Protection from Mobile Equipment

• Barricades

• Spotters

• Warning systems

Module 7 — Atmospheric Hazards & Monitoring

7.1 Hazardous Atmospheres in Excavations

• Oxygen deficiency

• Hydrogen sulfide

• Methane

• VOCs

7.2 Atmospheric Monitoring Equipment

• Calibration

• Bump testing

• Continuous vs. periodic monitoring

7.3 Ventilation & Engineering Controls

• Fans / blowers

• Purging

• Hot work precautions

Module 8 — Water Accumulation & Emergency Situations

8.1 Water Control Procedures

• Pumps

• Diversions

• Well points

• Special considerations for Type C soil

8.2 Emergency Rescue Planning

• Competent Person’s role during emergencies

• Engulfment rescue hazards

• Controlled access points

8.3 Severe Weather Considerations

• Rain

• Freezing

• Flooding potential

Module 9 — Utility Locating & Underground Installations

9.1 811 Requirements
9.2 Locating and Exposing Utilities

• Hand-digging

• Vacuum excavation

9.3 Support Systems for Adjacent Structures

• Foundations

• Roadways

• Poles

• Pipelines

Module 10 — Inspection Requirements

10.1 Daily Inspections

• Start-of-shift

• After rain

• After vibration events

• After hazard notifications

10.2 Inspection Documentation

• Forms

• Logs

• Photography

• Corrective actions

10.3 Frequency and Triggers

• Continuous during exposure

• Post-incident inspections

Module 11 — Safe Work Practices

11.1 Spoil Pile Requirements

• 2 ft minimum setback

• Soil weight considerations

11.2 Equipment Operation Near Excavations

• Undercutting

• Bench collapse hazards

11.3 Worker Positioning and Communication

• No working under loads

• Communication protocols

Final Exam

After successfully passing a final exam, you can immediately download your official certificate. A copy is stored in our site database should you need additional copies. View Certificate Example